Mt. Pulaski leaned on a dominant performance from Luke Martin and took advantage of a late Clinton error to slip past the Maroons, 2-1, in a tightly played matchup.

Runs were hard to come by all game, with both pitchers controlling the pace. Mt. Pulaski broke through first in the fourth inning, bringing Preston Cowan home to take a 1-0 lead. Clinton answered in the sixth when Josh Bass delivered a clutch RBI double to right field, scoring Jack Manning and tying things up at 1-1.

The game turned in the bottom half of the sixth. With pressure building, Luke Martin came around to score on an error, giving the Hilltoppers a 2-1 lead they would not give back.

On the mound, it was a true pitcher’s duel. Martin was outstanding for Mt. Pulaski, throwing a complete game while allowing just two hits and one run, striking out 10. Clinton’s Brock Wilson was just as strong, going six innings with 10 strikeouts, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned).

Mt. Pulaski made just enough plays late to secure the win in a game defined by pitching and timely execution.